The world’s first sodium-ion powered vehicle, an e-bike, has been successfully demonstrated by the British battery technology company Faradion in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering. The e-bike is a proof-of-concept and shows the capabilities of this new type of battery technology.

Faradion’s sodium-ion technology is based on cathode material manufactured by Haldor Topsoe. Topsoe has scaled up Faradion’s proprietary cathode material formulation and has supported the demonstration program by delivering the cathode material used in Faradion’s sodium-ion cells.

Faradion and Topsoe are currently developing low cost sodium-ion technology with one focus area being energy storage.

The many benefits of sodium-ion batteries

Although lithium-ion batteries are currently the predominant battery technology in electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as other energy storage applications, sodium-ion offers significant cost, safety and sustainability benefits.

The base materials required for sodium-ion batteries are more easily sourced than those needed for lithium-ion batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries cost around 30% less per kWh than lithium-ion counterparts.

As well as these benefits, sodium-ion batteries have improved thermal stability and transport safety.

A shared ownership

Haldor Topsoe last year acquired 18% of the shares in Faradion. As part of the investment, Topsoe will collaborate with Faradion to further co-develop and scale up key parts of the company’s sodium-ion technology. Furthermore, the investment provides Topsoe the right to manufacture and sell cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries under license from Faradion.